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Hawaii Business Builds Bridges

March, 2007

Managing Editor Jacy Youn, and Senior Editor Scott Radway share a byline in our exciting cover story, which introduces you to 25 future leaders — many of whom are still under the radar — who will impact Hawaii in different ways over the next 25 years. We know there are more folks who will impact the future of Hawaii than the 25 people featured this month. But we only had room for 25.

This story is an example of the kind of bridge building that Hawaii Business does well. It is also demonstrated this month through two new partnerships.

On March 7, in partnership with the Girl Scout Council of Hawaii, Hawaii Business launches a multi-generational leadership forum entitled, “Living Leadership.” This three-times a year forum will involve business professionals, collegiate-level scholar athletes and girls ages 15 to 17. The goal of Living Leadership is to empower young women to take action to develop their personal leadership skills and improve their communities.

The next week, Hawaii Business, in partnership with the Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs (HIPA) presents the second in a series of forums for business leaders on sustainability. This one will focus on the issues of land use and development. The Hawaii Business 2050 Forums on Sustainability are designed to share information about the components, issues and principles of sustainability with business leaders and to integrate feedback with the larger Hawaii 2050 initiative.

During our first forum, Hawaiian Electric Co. Senior Vice President Robbie Alm, Maui Land & Pineapple Co. CEO David Cole and Kaneohe Ranch CEO Mitch D’Olier shared their thoughts on integrating sustainability with business. Cole suggested new ways of measuring economic vitality, such as investments in locally produced “clean” fuels and the number of first baby luau. D’Olier said Hawaii’s current “killer app” is quality of life, which would become sustainable when quality of workforce was added to the equation. Alm said he believes people will be attracted to businesses that think long-term. He also recommended starting at home by making sure to use compact fluorescent bulbs.

Our publisher, Hoyt Zia, who is leaving us this month to pursue other opportunities, was instrumental in forging the above partnership with HIPA. It’s part of the legacy he leaves with Hawaii Business. We thank him, wish him well and expect we will all continue building bridges for the good of our community.